All Free English MCQs with Answers

1601. He was undecided. He "let the grass grow under his feet".

• A. loitered around
• B. stayed out
• C. sat unmoving
• D. moved away

Explanation: To let the grass grow under one's feet means to delay or remain inactive instead of taking action. Loitered around is the closest option.

1602. This matter has been "hanging fire" for the last many days. It should be sorted out.

• A. going on slowly
• B. hotly debated
• C. stuck up
• D. ignored

Explanation: A matter that is hanging fire is delayed or left unresolved, often awaiting action or a decision. “Going on slowly” is the closest available option, though “remaining unsettled” would be more precise.

1603. The boxing match proved to be a "big draw".

• A. a keen contest
• B. a huge attraction
• C. a lovely spectacle
• D. a game without any result

Explanation: A big draw is a person, event or attraction that brings in a large audience. The boxing match was therefore a huge attraction.

1604. To play fast and loose ___________?

• A. To beguile others
• B. To be winning sometimes and losing at other
• C. times
• D. To play with someone's feeling
• E. To play tricks

Explanation: To play fast and loose means to behave irresponsibly or deceitfully, often by disregarding rules or commitments. “To play tricks” is the closest available option, though it is less precise than the idiom’s full meaning.

1605. The idiom Hobson's choice means________?

• A. The choice of teachers
• B. Given choice
• C. No choice at all
• D. Choice to live or die

Explanation: Hobson’s choice refers to an apparent choice in which only one option is available, so there is effectively no choice. The expression comes from a stable owner who offered customers the horse nearest the door or none at all.

1606. The sparrows took no _________the bread.

• A. notice of
• B. notice about
• C. notice from
• D. notice to

Explanation: “Take notice of” is the established expression meaning to pay attention to something. The other prepositions do not form the standard collocation with “notice” in this sentence.

1607. The fireman managed to put ____________the fire.

• A. away
• B. down
• C. out
• D. off

Explanation: The phrasal verb “put out” means extinguish a fire. “Put off” means postpone, while “put down” and “put away” have different meanings.

1608. Did the boys turn _________for football practice?

• A. up
• B. on
• C. back
• D. in

Explanation: “Turn up” means arrive or appear, so the question asks whether the boys attended practice. “Turn on” means activate something, and “turn back” means return.

1609. The news was__________good to be true.

• A. very
• B. too
• C. so
• D. as

Explanation: “Too good to be true” is the fixed expression for something seeming so favorable that it is difficult to believe. Very good does not normally take the following “to be true” construction with this meaning.

1610. How did these things come __________?

• A. about
• B. into
• C. at
• D. down

Explanation: “Come about” means happen or take place, so the question asks how these things happened. “Come into” normally needs an object, such as “come into the room” or “come into possession.”